Antimicrobial activity of Mentha arvensis and Zingibe officinales essential oils

Abstract

Inhalation of airborne micro-organisms and their toxins has been recognized as an important factor for several health disorders and respiratory diseases. Allergic alveolitis, asthma and organic dust toxic syndrome have been associated with exposure to organic dust in work environments, such as animal farms, where airborne microbe concentrations are usually high. Airborne microbial concentrations is an important environmental risk factor for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer [1].This situation forced the researchers to search for new antimicrobial substance from various sources including medicinal plants. Essential oils from several plant species are able to control microorganisms Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Recently, there was extensive research on the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against pathogens seeking natural and safer means for hygiene [2]. The antimicrobial activity of such essential oils from Mentha arvensis and Zingibe officinales was tested on 2 Gram + Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and 3 Gram - Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis bacteria species and the yeast Candida albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the essential oils were tested using broth dilution assay at concentrations ranging from 0.1–50.0%. The oils showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity: concentrations of 0.1-0.8% of Mentha arvensis reduced total bacterial counts of Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. Essential oil - Zingibe officinales only high bacteriocidal concentrations were able to stop bacterial growth. Zingibe officinales at 50.0% completely inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and yeast Candida albicans amount.